Tropical Storm Watch issued for St. Kitts and Nevis

MIAMI, Florida –- The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a new advisory at 3 p.m. for Tropical Storm Isaac designating St. Kitts and Nevis as “tropical storm watch areas.”

Although Isaac has weakened, NHC warned as it gets closer to the Lesser Antilles, it could bring strong winds and heavy rain.

NHC forecast the possibility that early on Thursday tropical storm conditions are likely in St. Kitts and Nevis.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area . . . generally within 48 hours.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for Antigua and Montserrat

NHC said, interests elsewhere in the Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of Isaac as additional watches could be issued this afternoon or evening.

3 p.m. NHC report

At 3:00 p.m. Isaac had sustained winds near 70 miles per hour. The storm is anticipated to move near of over the central Lesser Antilles on Thursday and into the eastern Caribbean Sea late Thursday night at near hurricane strength.

NHC said Isaac could produce rainfall accumulations of 3- to 5-inches and as much as 10-inches across the southern Leeward Islands Thursday or Friday. The Windward Islands can anticipate 1- to 2-inches of rain.

A summary of other locations in the Leeward Islands:

A hurricane watch is in effect for Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica.

France has issued a hurricane watch for Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Barbados has issued a hurricane watch for Dominica.

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has issued a tropical storm watch for Antigua and Montserrat.